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Abstract

The Colombian Caribbean Sea coastal presents both continental and oceanic coral reef ecosystems. ecosystems. Based on quantitative sampling using video transects and multivariate analyses we Based on quantitative sampling Transects and video using multivariate analysis we found that there are small (hundreds of meters to few kilometers) and large scale (tens to hundreds found that there are small (few hundreds of meters to kilometers) and large scale (tens to hundreds of kilometers) spatial distribution patterns in the composition and abundance of sessile organisms. of kilometers) spatial distribution patterns in the composition and abundance of sessile organisms. Despite these coral reefs constitute a single community with the same coral species and other Despite these coral reefs constitute a single community with the same coral species and other organisms, Siderastrea siderea y Agaricia tenuifolia reef zones occur exclusively in the continental organisms, and Agaricia tenuifolia Siderastrea siderea reef zones occur exclusively in the continental sector, meanwhile, fore-reef terraces and lagoonal and windward peripheral reefs are characteristic sector, meanwhile, fore-reef and lagoonal terraces and peripheral windward reefs are characteristic of the oceanic sector. of the oceanic sector. These variations may reflect the different geologic histories, prevailing These variations may reflect the different geologic histories, Prevailing environmental conditions, frequency and intensity of disturbances, and life strategies of dominant environmental conditions, frequency and intensity of disturbances, and life strategies of dominant species. species. Within sectors (ie continental and oceanic), coral reef community structure seems to be Within sectors (ie continental and oceanic), coral reef community structure seems to be influenced by the intensity of wave exposure, water depth and reef geomorphology. influenced by the intensity of wave exposure, water depth and reef geomorphology. The different The different spatial scales in which the community responds to the environment should be considered when spatial scales in which the community responds to the environment should be considered when conservation and management strategies are taken in coral reefs of Colombia. conservation and management strategies are taken in coral reefs of Colombia.